CEO

Joseph NardoneCEO

Joseph R. Nardone, C.M., serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA). Nardone began his tenure in December 2016, after being appointed by the WCAA Board. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the independent governmental entity tasked with management and operation of Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Willow Run Airport (YIP), Michigan’s busiest airport system and one of the world’s leading air transportation hubs.

Nardone has executive experience in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Prior to assuming his role as CEO, Nardone was the Authority’s Interim CEO.For nearly two year, he also servered as Vice President of Business Development & Real Estate. Nardone was responsible for leading the Real Estate, Concessions and Air Service Development departments, as well as handling permits, managing economic development activities and cultivating relationships with airline representatives and other DTW and YIP tenants. Nardone joined WCAA in 2012 as the Director of Development. He is credited with playing a critical role in the negotiations that led to the construction of Spirit Airlines’ new maintenance hangar at DTW. The project is expected to generate $31.7 million in new private investment for Michigan’s economy.

Nardone began his career as a Committee Aide in the Michigan House of Representatives. After leaving Lansing, he held various positions which enabled him to gain expertise in organizational management as well as business and economic development. Highlights of Nardone’s career include working in Europe and the U.S. while Vice President of Huron Valley Steel Corporation and Fritz Enterprises, and serving as Director of Southgate Properties, a nonprofit with multi-million dollar real estate transactions.

Nardone earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University; he graduated with high honor. Nardone is a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and former Executive Committee Member and Interim CEO of Detroit Region Aerotropolis. He is a lifelong resident of Southeast Michigan.